The Rapture of J.D. Salinger Summary

Ray explains building the door in the right-centerfield fence through which the ball players pass at the end of each game. When the last player passes through each night, the lights to the field switch off, leaving the playing field dark once more. Ray speculates on the whereabouts of the players once they pass through the door and hopes that one day they will reveal the secret to him.

One night, Ray is instantly jealous when he hears Shoeless Joe ask Salinger if he would like to go out with the players after the game. Salinger instantly accepts, and Ray cannot help but be cool toward him in the bleachers. Finally, Ray cannot control his envy and demands to know why Salinger has been selected and not himself, especially since he is the...